Blog Post

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Editor's note:

In finishing up our week on the theme of our utter dependence upon God in prayer, we wanted to leave you with this beautiful hymn (lyrics by William Walford, music by William Bradley).

May you enter this weekend—and bookend every day—knowing that you may “cast on Him your every care” as you meet him in your own sweet hour of prayer.

—Renovaré Team

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!That calls me from a world of care,And bids me at my Father’s throneMake all my wants and wishes known.In seasons of distress and grief,My soul has often found relief,And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!The joys I feel, the bliss I share,Of those whose anxious spirits burnWith strong desires for thy return!With such I hasten to the placeWhere God my Savior shows His face,And gladly take my station there,And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!Thy wings shall my petition bearTo Him whose truth and faithfulnessEngage the waiting soul to bless.And since He bids me seek His face,Believe His Word and trust His grace,I’ll cast on Him my every care,And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,I view my home and take my flight.This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and riseTo seize the everlasting prize,And shout, while passing through the air,“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

For a beautiful vocal expression of this song, you may want to check out Vance Perry’s “barbershop quartet” version HERE.

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William Walford owned a small novelty shop in Coleshire, England in the early 19th century. Not much is known about him, but it is said that as he worked in crafting small curiosities to sell, he would commune with the Lord in prayer, sometimes putting together thoughts to be shared in church the following Sunday. "Sweet Hour of Prayer" is his only known work.

In utter dependence upon Jesus Christ as my ever-living Savior, Teacher, Lord, and Friend, I will seek continual renewal through spiritual exercises, spiritual gifts, and acts of service.
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